LAND AND HOUSING
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demand for land of this nature which is more difficult to provide in that usually it is in already developed areas.
As in previous years grants were made by private treaty for low- cost housing schemes, non-profit-making schools and other chari- table and welfare purposes. New sites were reserved or allocated for resettlement estates and other Government projects. Modifica- tions of existing leases to allow more intensive development con- tinued but there was a decrease in applications received in the latter part of the year, largely due to the lack of demand for luxury type flat development.
Revenue from land transactions in Hong Kong, Kowloon and New Kowloon during the financial year 1962-3 came to about $163,285,000 for sales by public auction; $10,274,000 for private treaty sales; $21,840,000 for modifications of lease conditions, ex- tensions and exchanges; and $22,831,000 for re-grants of expired 75 years leases; totalling $218,230,000. Revenue from land transac- tions in the New Territories was $16,170,000. Where it is not possible to dispose of land immediately, because either public utilities and other services are not yet available or the site has been set aside for some future purpose, the land is rarely left vacant but may be occupied on a temporary annual permit. The 1962-3 revenue from these permits was $7,113,763 in the urban area and $787,421 in the New Territories. As permanent develop- ment expands, it is necessary to cancel permits and the number of permits in the urban area and in the more developed parts of the New Territories decreases year by year. Revenue amounting to $2,168,064 was derived from short-term lettings of land and buildings.
Surveys. All surveys in Hong Kong are plotted on the Colony grid which is a Cassini plane rectangular one with its origin on Victoria Peak. The grid meridian does not coincide with the true meridian at this point. The main triangulation which is of a secondary standard was re-observed, computed and adjusted by the Crown Lands and Survey Office in 1962-3. Minor triangulation stations and traverse points are now being adjusted to the revised values. The urban area of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and New Kowloon is surveyed at the large scale of 1/600 (50 feet to 1 inch). This is necessary because of the congested and crowded conditions in the built-up areas of the Colony; 183 sheets of Hong Kong